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arielthebookgargoyle 's review for:
War and the Throne
by Brien Feathers
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At the end of the last book, I was anticipating a showdown with Moriz. I wasn't aware until picking this one up, that there would be another book. I imagine with all the set up there has been with the antagonists, Lothar and Moriz, their story will be the finale. All this to say, the book wasn't what I initially expected. What this installment of the Fedosian Wars did do, was strengthened the relationship between main characters Lev and Aleksei, focused on the war between Fedosia and Elfur, as well as filled in more of Sofia's past.
Previous books needed for the majority of character background. Reasons for the war are decently explained in this book.
Set in a medieval Russia styled environment, it is swords vs magic. It is told from many different characters' point of view, but mainly focuses on Lev and Black; The leaders of each side of the war. It was fairly evenly paced and decently written. Dark for sure. There were lots of bloody fight scenes and gruesome back and forth between the sides.
Although I didn't get what I wanted, I enjoyed the story. Most of the characters went in a direction I didn't exactly expect, but was fitting to their already established personalities. This provided decent twists and turns. Some of the characters' fates were exactly what I wanted, which made me happy. The best, in my opinion, was Arne. Hard to say exactly why without spoilers, but it was satisfying. Most revealing thing I will say, more for content warning, is it does have a relationship between men with a descriptive love scene. There are also a few other minor sexual moments. So, fair warning if not your cup of tea.
The characters are what really drive the story and I believe they are well done. With the change chapter to chapter of narration, it allows for each characters motivations to be understood. That writtng style allowed for reveals to me as the reader that surprised other characters. Some suspense when one needed to catch up to the other.
The story is left open, but I felt has enough content to hold its own. Plenty of action with consequences as well as some conclusion.
There is a lot of light vs dark symbolism throughout the story. It reminded me a lot of what I have currently read of "The Shadow and Bone" trilogy by Liegh Bardugo actually. It plays with the idea that one cannot exist without the other, and that the majority of people are shades of both. That or balanced better when they are opposed. It plays a little with religious concepts and what happens after death. What a soul is. Can be a deeper story beyond the romance, if the details are paid attention to.
I enjoyed, much more than the last story, and looking to read the next with the hope it features more of Moriz.
For disclosure: I was provided an ARC from the author. Although I read a free version, this review is my own and left voluntarily.
Previous books needed for the majority of character background. Reasons for the war are decently explained in this book.
Set in a medieval Russia styled environment, it is swords vs magic. It is told from many different characters' point of view, but mainly focuses on Lev and Black; The leaders of each side of the war. It was fairly evenly paced and decently written. Dark for sure. There were lots of bloody fight scenes and gruesome back and forth between the sides.
Although I didn't get what I wanted, I enjoyed the story. Most of the characters went in a direction I didn't exactly expect, but was fitting to their already established personalities. This provided decent twists and turns. Some of the characters' fates were exactly what I wanted, which made me happy. The best, in my opinion, was Arne. Hard to say exactly why without spoilers, but it was satisfying. Most revealing thing I will say, more for content warning, is it does have a relationship between men with a descriptive love scene. There are also a few other minor sexual moments. So, fair warning if not your cup of tea.
The characters are what really drive the story and I believe they are well done. With the change chapter to chapter of narration, it allows for each characters motivations to be understood. That writtng style allowed for reveals to me as the reader that surprised other characters. Some suspense when one needed to catch up to the other.
The story is left open, but I felt has enough content to hold its own. Plenty of action with consequences as well as some conclusion.
There is a lot of light vs dark symbolism throughout the story. It reminded me a lot of what I have currently read of "The Shadow and Bone" trilogy by Liegh Bardugo actually. It plays with the idea that one cannot exist without the other, and that the majority of people are shades of both. That or balanced better when they are opposed. It plays a little with religious concepts and what happens after death. What a soul is. Can be a deeper story beyond the romance, if the details are paid attention to.
I enjoyed, much more than the last story, and looking to read the next with the hope it features more of Moriz.
For disclosure: I was provided an ARC from the author. Although I read a free version, this review is my own and left voluntarily.